Lawyers e-Journal

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007

Access to Justice Section announces award recipients

Members to be honored at Access to Justice luncheon

Each year, the Access to Justice Section honors several members of the Massachusetts legal community with awards for their pro bono and volunteer work. The following attorneys will be recognized at the Friday, March 2 Access to Justice Luncheon. Congratulations to the following attorneys:

The Legal Services Award will be given to two attorneys: Robert A. Sable, executive director of Greater Boston Legal Services for 15 years, and Richard McMahon, the executive director of the New Center for Legal Advocacy in Bristol County. Sable and McMahon have dedicated their entire careers to legal service work, together combining for more than 60 years of efforts.

S. Stephen Rosenfeld, aside from his most well-known position as Governor Dukakis’ chief of staff, has established a career in private practice, public service and teaching. The MBA will honor him with the Pro Bono Publico Award for his tireless advocacy for individuals’ rights to adequate health care.

The recipient of this year’s Defender Award is Wendy Wolf. A public defender in Cambridge, Boston and Dedham for more than 20 years, she has spent much of the last decade representing juveniles. For the past four years, Wolf has also formed and administered the Juvenile Defense Network, which provides support for lawyers in juvenile courts across the state.

Attorney Raymond P. Veary Jr. will receive the Prosecutor Award in recognition of his work at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Described as a “prosecutor’s prosecutor,” Veary has successfully prosecuted a significant number of homicide cases in Bristol County. Recently, he headed the county’s homicide unit and served as a leader in the prosecution of gang activity.

Boston law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP will receive the Pro Bono Award for Law Firms. Located in Boston for only five years and beginning with just 17 attorneys, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has expanded to 35 attorneys, with each attorney’s annual pro bono involvement averaging more than 50 hours per year.